Dual cable door latch release mechanism

Abstract

A door latch release mechanism for use in a passenger vehicle comprises at least one of a latch mechanism and a handle mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a first bellcrank with a first pivot axis and two mounting points. The handle mechanism includes a second bellcrank with a second pivot axis and two mounting points. The handle mechanism further includes a door handle having a third pivot axis, and a mechanical linkage connecting the door handle lever with the second bellcrank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A door latch release mechanism for use in a passenger vehicle comprising at least one of:
 a latch mechanism including a first bellcrank having a first pivot axis and two mounting points; and   a handle mechanism including:
 a second bellcrank having a second pivot axis and two mounting points, 
 a door handle lever having a third pivot axis, and 
 a mechanical linkage connecting the door handle lever with the second bellcrank. 
   
     
     
         2 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the door latch release mechanism includes each of the latch mechanism and the handle mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 2  wherein the mounting points of each bellcrank are on opposite sides of the pivot axis of such bellcrank and the mounting points are substantially equally spaced from the pivot axis. 
     
     
         4 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical linkage comprises the handle lever slidably engaging the second bellcrank. 
     
     
         5 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the second pivot axis is substantially normal to the third pivot axis. 
     
     
         6 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first cable connected at a first end to a first of the two mounting points on the first bellcrank and connected at a second end to a first of the two mounting points on the second bellcrank;   a first cable sleeve slidably disposed over the first cable;   a second cable connected to a second of the two mounting points on the first bellcrank with a second of the two mounting points on the second bellcrank; and   a second cable sleeve slidably disposed over the second cable.   
     
     
         7 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 6 , further wherein the ends of the cables are each connected to the bellcranks by a pivot joint. 
     
     
         8 . A door latch release mechanism for use in a passenger vehicle comprising:
 a first bellcrank connected to a latch mechanism and the first bellcrank having a first pivot axis and two mounting points; and   a second bellcrank connected to a handle mechanism and the second bellcrank having a second pivot axis and two mounting points.   
     
     
         9 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 8  wherein the mounting points of each bellcrank are on opposite sides of the pivot axis of such bellcrank and the mounting points are substantially equally spaced from the pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the handle mechanism further includes a door handle lever and a mechanical linkage connecting the door handle lever with the second bellcrank. 
     
     
         11 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the handle mechanism further includes the door handle lever being pivotably mounted for rotation about a third pivot axis. 
     
     
         12 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical linkage comprises the handle lever slidably engaging the second bellcrank. 
     
     
         13 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the second pivot axis is substantially normal to the third pivot axis. 
     
     
         14 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first cable connected at a first end to a first of the two mounting points on the first bellcrank and connected at a second end to a first of the two mounting points on the second bellcrank;   a first cable sleeve slidably disposed over the first cable;   a second cable connected to a second of the two mounting points on the first bellcrank with a second of the two mounting points on the second bellcrank; and   a second cable sleeve slidably disposed over the second cable.   
     
     
         15 . The door latch release mechanism of  claim 14 , further wherein the ends of the cables are each connected to the bellcranks by a pivot joint.